The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-20

amount that can be prohtaoly expended On
rivers and harbors," yet the President refused
to sign a bill appropriating $12. 213, 900.
There is not well-improved harbor in the
United States. Even at New York large
steamers have to wait for the tide to float them
over the bar. We have not line of steam
ers to any foreign port, and even the Ameri-
can mails are carried in foreign vessels Other
governments aid in establishing and main
tanning foreign steamer lines and thereby de-
velop foreign trade; why should not the
United States7 We have merely limited at
some directions in which what is called "the
surplus revenue" might be proftably used,
and in which judicious expenditures would
prove of permanent benefit to the country
and tend to promote the general welfare. If
it be said that none of these things pertain to
the functions of government, that it has no
right to engage in public works of national
character, that is an end of argument on this
point and raises question as to what are the
proper functions of government. But if it be
conceded that such works and improvements
fall within the sphere of government action,
then they suggest tar better way of dispos-
ing of the so-called excessive revenue" than
a wholesale remission of taxes which the peo-
pie do not feel and of which they are not
complaining.
Still another matter is likely to demand at
over the present, and an increase which will
continue for many years. We refer to the
pension system. The time is at hand when
the government will have TO make even
more liberal provision for surviving Union
soldiers than it has yet done. Just what the
basis of this provision will be cannot be
stated but it will be liberal and permanent,
demanding decided increase of expenditure
in that behalf When it becomes necessary
to meet that demand ''the surplus will come
in very handy. We hold, therefore, that Con-
gress had better think not only twice. but
many times, and very carefully, before it re-
mits taxes of which the people are not COM
planning and throws away a revenue that can
be so usefally employed and that may soon
be sorely needed
The feature of the present situation that
does demand attention is the disposition of
the existing surplus. It is a surplus simply
because it is unused. Lying idle in the Treas
ury it is not only withdrawn from active cir
culation but becomes a disturbing factor in
our finances and power for mischief in our
politics. There is no crisis but there is
oynaroapcv end II cal1a for acfioD Tho cur-
plus should be put in circulation and restored
to the channels of trade as soon as possible.
In the vaults of the Treasury it is an evil; in
the hands of the people it ceases to be sur
plus and becomes dispenser of benefits. In
a former crisis the Republican party, under
the leadership of John Sherman, led the
country out of the slough of deprecated
currency, where the Democratic rebellion had
placed it, on to the high and solid ground Of
specie payments. The keynote then
''the way to resumption is to resume" The
present problem can be solved by the same
party and the same tactics. The way to dis
pose of the surplus is to dispose of it. As for
future revenue, it would be folly to reduce
taxes so as to place the government at disad-
vantage. There must be enough revenue not
only to pay the actual expenses of administra-
tion but to produce enough of surplus that
shall provide for needed works of public de-
tense and improvement. The present taxes
can be reduced, but they should not be mean
inglessly cut off; and especially in revising the
schedule of tariff duties, the, principle of pro-
lection to American industries should be
carefully preserved against the attacks of Dem
ocratic free-traders, led by President Cleve-
land.